Things to Do in Houston for a Texas-Sized Good Time

Houston is big and sprawling, which makes sense because it is, after all, America's fourth largest city. Its Museum District brims with can't-miss cultural attractions, its food scene is nationally recognized, and there's plenty of green space. Speaking of space, let's not forget Houston is home to NASA. But don't worry — we don't have any problems, just good times. Here are the top things to do in Houston for some Texas-sized fun.

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What to Do: Hermann Park

Hermann Park

You could easily spend several days exploring the attractions in Hermann Park, a 445-acre urban oasis, just minutes from downtown. In addition to a traditional Japanese Garden and an eight-acre lake, you'll find the Houston Zoo, the Miller Outdoor Theatre (which does concerts, plays, and other events), and even an 18-hole golf course.

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What to Do: Space Center Houston

Space Center Houston

Though a half-hour from downtown, the Space Center Houston is well worth the trip. Some of the highlights include a walk inside the massive Skylab Trainer, where astronauts first trained for space, getting to touch one of the few moon rocks available to the public, and seeing flown spacecrafts, including the Gemini V and Apollo 17.

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Where to Stay: Hotel ICON

Hotel ICON

This boutique hotel (from $134 per night,priceline.com) is housed in a former bank — the soaring lobby features 30-foot Doric columns, and the check-in counter area is where the massive vault was once located. Around the corner, have a drink at Tongue-Cut Sparrow, a swanky new cocktail bar within a popular mezcaleria called The Pastry War.

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Where to Stay: Hotel ZaZa Houston

Hotel ZaZa Houston

The Hotel ZaZa (from $270 per night,hotels.com) is like a little slice of Las Vegas in the middle of Houston. Expect an eclectic decor of animal print chairs, gilt-framed celebrity portraits, chandeliers, and a party-vibe pool scene. Keep the good times rolling from your patio table at Monarch, where you can nosh on oysters and tuna tacos.

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Where to Stay: Marriott Marquis Houston

Marriott Marquis Houston

It might be worth staying at the Marriott Marquis (from $359 per night,expedia.com) just to take a float around the large lazy river that surrounds the pool area. Did we mention it's in the shape of Texas? When you dry off, have a meal at Xochi, from award-winning chef Hugo Ortego, who puts creative spins on traditional Oaxacan dishes.

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Where to Eat: Underbelly

Underbelly/Julia Soefer

James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd recently introduced a new fish-based menu at his beloved first restaurant Underbelly (after dinner, have a drink at The Hay Merchant, his next-door craft beer bar). Come September, his nearby One Fifth Steak, part of a concept where each year he switches up the menus and decor, will morph into One Fifth Romance Languages, focusing on dishes from Italy, France, and Spain.

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Where to Eat: Coltivare Pizza & Garden

Coltivare Pizza & Garden

You know the ingredients are fresh at Coltivare, a rustic Italian hotspot in Houston Heights, because they're plucked right from the restaurant's 3,000-square-foot garden. Try the wood-fired oven pizza topped with herbs and vegetables, and the homemade pastas like tagliatelle with gulf shrimp, corn, and backyard tomatoes.

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Where to Eat: The Pass & Provisions

The Pass & Provisions/Ralph Smith

The Pass & Provisions, from chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan, is actually two restaurants in one. The Pass serves sophisticated tasting menus (think farm eggs with caviar, rabbit with morels) with optional wine pairings, while the more casual Provisions serves hearty pastas, pizzas, and artisanal breads and cheeses.

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